Holland’s largest news website, NU.nl, has announced that it is to become a sponsor of the country's newest Formula One star, Christijan Albers. The 26-year-old, from Laren, was formally announced as a Minardi driver in December. The website's distinctive logo will be displayed on the rear wing end plates of the Minardi Cosworth, in the team's garage and on Albers' race overalls. NU.nl is the site of choice for hundreds of thousands of Dutch males when it comes to daily news and sports information, and the arrangement with Albers will result in more Formula One news appearing on the site.

"With timely Formula One news, we fulfil the needs of many F1 fans," comments the site's Editor, Roger Swagerman. "NU.nl has a huge audience on weekdays, but by offering Formula One news, we add something extra for the weekend visitors."

Paul Molenaar, CEO of parent company, ilse media bv, observes that the decision to sponsor Albers was an easy one to make. "There are many parallels between what we do and what a Formula One driver does, speed being the most obvious one," he says. "NU.nl became the No 1 news site in the Netherlands by offering news first on a fast website. Additionally, news on sports is an important element of NU.nl."

NU.nl also intends to involve its readers in the Albers sponsorship. "We expect to organise a special event that involves Formula One and Christijan Albers," says Molenaar. "We are not in a position to provide details just yet, but several options have been discussed with Christijan's management. Whichever we choose, it's going to be fun."

Albers himself is understandably pleased with the news: "We already enjoyed a good relationship with the ilse media group, and it is great news that NU.nl has decided to support me this season."